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Jim Spizzo ’74
was recently awarded first place and a cash prize in the architecture category in the 2021 juried exhibit sponsored by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, Kansas, for his photo “Infinity: The Way Out.” Jim has also received honorable mentions by juries for his photography in the annual Minimalist Photography Awards, as well as in other exhibits at the Midwest Center for Photography. In the past few years, Jim’s photos have been selected by juries for inclusion in a dozen exhibits in Chicago; Wichita; Scottsdale, Arizona; and online. He was invited to do a show at the Pharmacy Gallery in Springfield as a guest artist in September.
In Memoriam
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Conrad Damsgaard ’57
was a dedicated, active alumnus who had a vision for raising the profile of the institution. He and his late wife, Patricia Carlson Damsgaard ’53, remained active supporters of the College throughout their lives. Over the years, Conrad Damsgaard served on the Board of Trustees and as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In 1987, he was honored with a distinguished service award “for his devotion to Illinois College as evidenced by thoughtful alumni involvement.” The Damsgaards’ philanthropy made them members of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society and the Illinois College Society.
As a student, Damsgaard was elected student body president and was an active member and leader in Phi Alpha. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, economics club, the Hilltoppers dramatic organization, student forum, social committee and intersociety board.
He was first sergeant of the Army Reserve unit on campus and served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He started his career in sales with Shell Oil Company and went on to have a long career in sales and marketing management at Shell, Swank Motion Pictures and Psychological Associates.
The Damsgaards had three daughters, Susan Damsgaard-Brand ’81, Kristine Damsgaard and Beth Damsgaard Rodriguez. Susan and their granddaughter, Rachel Brand ’18, carried on the family’s legacy as IC alumni. He was 88 when he died March 23, 2022.
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Lanie Cooper Kepler ’12, Brady Kepler ’12 and Bailey Cooper ’18
founded the KASE Project. It is a central Illinois non-profit dedicated to supporting the autism community. They installed a playground communication board at Southwind Park in Springfield for children with limited verbal speech to enjoy the park with their peers.
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Dan Wright '01
Dan Wright was named first assistant state’s attorney in Sangamon County, Ill.
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Amanda Williams '01
Amanda Williams is a litigation attorney defending corporate clients at Clayborne, Sabo & Wagner LLP in Belleville, Ill.
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Nicholas Cray '01
Nicholas Cray is vice president of marketing for AmeriCu Credit Union in Rome, N.Y.
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Adam Edlen '00
Adam Edlen is a broker representative – global marine practice for Marsh in St. Louis, Mo.
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Jim Slaid '99
Jim Slaid began a new position as principal of Korea International School’s Middle School in Seoul, South Korea, in August.
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Tim Keefe '99
Tim Keefe is the new principal at Charleston Middle School in Charleston, Ill. Tim was formerly the assistant principal at Charleston High School.
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Brian Bruce '99
Brian Bruce is a captain for Emirates airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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Julie Bodam Macartney '98
Julie Bodam Macartney was promoted to director of business operations and strategy at CARE USA in Atlanta, Ga. In her new role, Julie will drive strategic operational alignment across organizational functions and teams in support of optimizing performance of country and regional teams.
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Dalitso Sulamoyo '96
Dalitso Sulamoyo has been named chief executive officer of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission in Urbana, Ill. Previously, Dalitso was the president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies.
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Dr. Chris Becker '96
Dr. Chris Becker graduated in May with his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Chris conducted a mixed-methods study of teacher perceptions of learning communities at Highland High School in Highland, Ill., where he is the associate principal.
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Travis Cox '93
Travis Cox has been appointed the treasurer for Cass County in Virginia, Ill., by the Cass County Board. He has worked in the treasurer’s office since 1995.
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Christopher Passmore '90
Christopher Passmore has been elected to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. The NCRP was chartered by Congress in 1964 to serve as a nonprofit organization that represents a national resource on topics related to radiation protection and radiation quantities, units and measurements.
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Luiz Guimarães '90
Luiz Guimarães is a senior partner of North American Operations for the Midwest Business Unit of Environmental Resources Management in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
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Kerry Grubb Cox '86
Kerry Grubb Cox was named a 2017 Superintendent of Distinction by her colleagues in the Two Rivers Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. Kerry has been an educator for 30 years, the last four as superintendent in Carrollton, Ill.
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Rodney Norris '84
Rodney Norris is the new principal at Midwest Central Primary School in Manito, Ill. Previously, he served as high school assistant principal and athletic director for Midwest Central.
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Justin Grady '83
Justin Grady received a 2017 Jefferson Award for Public Service for his work with the Mattoon Township Park District and volunteerism with the Mattoon Arts Council and many other community groups in Mattoon, Ill.
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Cheri Callahan Bustos '83
Cheri Callahan Bustos was a keynote speaker during commencement ceremonies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on May 13. Cheri’s father, the late Gene Callahan ’55, was a past member of the SIU Board of Trustees who received a distinguished service award posthumously.
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Jeff Alderman '82
Jeff Alderman was awarded the Ray Eliot Award by the Illinois High School Association and the Coaches Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who have shown exemplary efforts to the sport of football through longevity and have earned the utmost respect from the people around them. President Ronald Reagan was recognized with the award named for “Mr. Illini” in 1981.
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Larry Moore '76
Larry Moore retired from Anna-Jonesboro Motor Company in Anna, Ill., after more than 26 years.
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Charles Rammelkamp '74
Charles Rammelkamp has written and published a book about alumnus William Jennings Bryan 1881 titled, “American Zeitgeist.” Framed by fictional Illinois College professor Jefferson Lynn’s lecture on The Progressive Era, the book is a collection of dramatic monologues illustrating the life and career of “The Great Commoner.”